Dublin to vote on $10 million bond in May

In conjunction with the regular general election to be held May 7, the people of Dublin will also be voting on a DISD bond election to the tune of $10 million.

Should the bond measure pass, $4.5 million will be dedicated to a new football stadium, with the balance going to various improvements across the district.

Dr. Rodney Schneider, DISD superintendent explained, "These recommendations are from a 2015 Citizen Committee Facilities Findings and Recommendations Power Point presentation."

Schneider provided the E-T with a copy of the presentation and said the following contains a breakdown on how the bond funds would be allocated:

⋄ Improved District-wide Security − $586,636

⋄ Elementary Renovations and Improvements − $603,617

⋄ Elementary School Multipurpose Facility – $603,355

⋅ High School Renovations and Improvements −

⋄ Tennis Courts – $780,430

⋄ Football Field – $4,552,563

⋄ Eight-lane running track – $1,273,399

⋄ Softball/Baseball improvements – $100,000

⋄ Concessions and restrooms – $1,500,000

Among other items, improvements at the elementary school will include new carpeting, interior painting, more secure door locks and kitchen upgrades.

In their report, the committee also included the reasons underlying their recommendation of the bond:

⋄ Increased security for children

⋄ Kids deserve facilities to meet educational demands

⋄ Investment for the community that will grow Dublin's economy, encourage families to locate in Dublin, increase sales revenue due to increased district purposes

⋄ Secures the district for many years for construction purposes − construction will never be cheaper than it is today

⋅ The payment on the new bond will be supplemented by the state through a program known as Existing Debt Allotment. [Approximately 20 percent]

The 2015 Citizen Committee members are Keith Riley, Leeroy Gaiten, Jill Moore, Casey Ballenger, Paul Bradberry, Sara Button, Tommy Cisneroz, Steve Hightower, Johnny Juardo, Willard Mann, Tammy Teten, Sulin Olvera, Lucy Vasquez and Mayor David Leatherwood.